Sarah Sample, Author at Conduit Street

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affinity Group Meeting at #MACoCon

Secretary Walter Simmons will join the MACo Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affinity Group to share insights about the new division and how county governments can be good partners in advancing initiatives of the new Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility at #MACoCon. The upcoming 2026 MACo Summer Conference will give county officials an opportunity to learn more about the newly established Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility (DoSEM) and how its work could…

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July 27, 2026

Courts / Summer Conference

Birthright Citizenship Upheld as State Policies on Immigration Enforcement Move Forward

US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in 6-3 decision on Trump v. Barbara as state and local immigration enforcement policies continue to rollout. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara has preserved the longstanding principle of birthright citizenship, rejecting a recent federal effort to deny citizenship to certain children born in the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts from the majority opinion: Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights—to freely…

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July 27, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections

Community Policing Takes Center Stage During National Night Out Events

National Night Out events will be happening across Maryland on August 4, bringing together law enforcement and residents at community centered events that promote connection between police and the neighborhoods they serve. Effective public safety is about more than responding to emergencies. It also depends on building strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Community policing gives police departments and sheriffs' offices opportunities to engage with residents outside of enforcement situations, helping…

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July 23, 2026

Board of Public Works

Board of Public Works Approves $12.7M for Counties This Week

State funding totaling $12.75M was directed to county governments for a range of environmental, infrastructure, community, and redevelopment projects. During the Board of Public Works meeting this week, almost $13M was allocated to six counties and Baltimore City. The largest award was for $8M from the 2023 Capital Budget for the demolition of Cheverly Hospital in Prince George's County. Another grant of $2.45M for wastewater and stormwater improvements went to Caroline from the Maryland Department…

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July 23, 2026

Education / Summer Conference

US House of Representatives Panel Advances Plan to Reshape Federal Education Oversight

A congressional committee has approved legislation that would permanently redistribute many of the U.S. Department of Education's responsibilities to other federal agencies, advancing a broader effort to redefine the federal government's role in education. The US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce has advanced a package of bills intended to codify the Trump administration's initiative to discontinue the operations of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The effort permanently transfers many of the…

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July 21, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

Statewide Speed Camera Report Offers New Insights on Habitual Offenders

A new evaluation from the Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) finds that automated speed enforcement continues to reduce speeding at camera locations while also shedding new light on the relatively small number of drivers responsible for the state's most serious speeding violations. The Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) recently released its Evaluation of Speed Monitoring Systems, offering lawmakers and local officials a comprehensive look at how automated speed enforcement is performing across the…

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July 21, 2026

Courts / Government Liability and Courts / Summer Conference

Beyond the Bench: Legal Shifts Shaping Local Government at #MACoCon

The legal landscape is constantly evolving, and understanding the latest court decisions is essential for effective local governance. For county officials, staying ahead of legal developments is essential to making informed policy decisions and avoiding costly missteps. Recent court rulings and regulatory changes continue to reshape the authority, responsibilities, and day-to-day operations of local governments, often with significant implications for county budgets, personnel, public safety, land use, and service delivery. This session offers a valuable…

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July 20, 2026

Courts / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

MD Supreme Court Upholds Sanctions Against Maryland Department of Health

In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court of Maryland, upheld sanctions against the Maryland Department of Health, requiring payments to some local detention centers that incur the costs of the agencies non-compliance. As previously covered on Conduit Street, the Supreme Court of Maryland accepted a petition to consider whether the Appellate Court of Maryland acted within its authority when it imposed sanctions against the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) for not complying with Maryland law. Yesterday,…

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July 16, 2026

Courts / Government Liability and Courts / Policy Deep Dive

Where Do Things Stand With Maryland’s Pending Child Victims Act Cases?

As tens of thousands of Child Victims Act cases work their way through the courts, competing judicial decisions prompt additional considerations from higher courts and the Maryland General Assembly. Passing the Child Victims Act The General Assembly enacted the Child Victims Act (CVA) of 2023 to significantly expand the ability of survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue civil claims. The law eliminated Maryland's civil statute of limitations for claims arising from child sexual abuse…

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July 15, 2026

Information Technology / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference

New Technologies Offer Counties New Tools for Safer, Smarter Detention Centers

As local detention centers continue to modernize operations, artificial intelligence is emerging as a new tool with potential applications beyond traditional technology. A recent Urban Institute report highlights how AI systems are beginning to assist correctional facilities with administrative tasks, movement tracking, documentation requirements, and more—functions that consume significant staff time in facilities already facing workforce shortages. By automating routine processes, these tools can allow correctional officers and detention staff to spend more time on…

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July 14, 2026